The Meaning of Life and Self Actualization in 'American Beauty' | Film Analysis

[@LaurentEN]

These videos take weeks to make and the KZbin algorithm hardly recommends them. I really appreciate that you share 😊

[@jonascastejon5888]

Amazing video essay, keep it up!

[@Smith.S.sStocHasticSs]

I found it searching for the song "Arose" by @Eminem

[@harideepks7747]

This is the best explanation video thank you

[@r3games1985]

Ya right weeks to make. You're using auto voice to read it.

[@nelsonpun]

use real voice over. will help.

[@ЭстебанПантера]

This movie is so strong. It is so dramatic yet you have that feeling of peace when you watch it. People who worked on this film are genius.

[@1life744]

Definitely.

[@imt3206]

Hell they are

[@Vigilante311]

It makes me feel a little bit more enthusiastic about the shit miserable life that is ahead of me

[@imt3206]

@@Vigilante311 no shit. Why do you say so?

[@Vigilante311]

@@imt3206 because unfortunately i live on planet earth and theres no hope left

[@raffellorosenbergi9094]

This happens in different variations in billions of homes on this planet. Thank you for your analysis!

[@renetrost2711]

Very true

[@Emmai.thedesigner]

I think this is one of the best explanations about this movie. And I love the Maslow reference. Exceptional observation!

[@winwoodlabsinc3113]

I think the point is more that ultimately, they're all bad people, but they're humanized through seeing their personal and private lives and the crises they're going through. It's not meant to justify their actions, but explain them. Lester is lustful and pining for his younger years, his wife is distant and bored in a similar way, Jane was neglected and ignored between the two of them, Ricky had a miserable home life, Colonel Fitz is a closeted homosexual full of anger over his past relationship and being brought up to fear homosexuals. Ricky's mum is beaten into submission by her husband's overbearing nature and is bordering on catatonic, and Angela is utterly insecure with no positive role models that we see, building up a facade of confidence to shield herself with that bites her in the ass big-style when she has to follow through on it. They're not sympathetic people, but they're human and fallible. Ultimately, their actions make a kind of dark sense when you take a look at their lives. Hence the "look closer" tagline, and the title American Beauty, which is a type of rose that looks nice, but it actually an aggressive weed. It's essentially all show and no substance, much like the characters.

[@theepicbellendoftomorrow4703]

I first watched this film at 14, and didn’t rate it…. Now I rewatch it at 40, and totally understand it and relate to Lester.

[@twiss9341]

Pretty crazy how quick time has gone

[@omaraw740]

what a beautiful analysis! you just gained a subscriber!

[@LaurentEN]

Thanks for your support!

[@ral1020]

This is a GREAT film. Deep on many levels. Quite spiritual at it’s core.

[@Lone432345]

It Is? Here i was thinking it was about middle age man wanting to fuck a minor.

[@arjunk5329]

Incredible analysis mate.

[@4evaluckyh]

so simple yet so deep

[@LaurentEN]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@kahlodiego5299]

I've watched this movie hundreds of times. I love Alan Ball.

[@TravisBickle58]

Same here. This is one of best screenplay of all time.

[@davidantinori4778]

Very nicely made video. You deserve more views!

[@leoray1234]

I’m going through this experience at the moment, and this video helps me appreciate your perspectives. Thank you.

[@Youtuber-lv6eh]

”You will someday” I did. I did today when my own wife entered menapause and started talking about other men. Insane

[@daviddicusara6523]

How are you doing now ?

[@valerievendetta7849]

Excellent analysis🙌

[@foxmulder4196]

I feel like Lester...I'm 44 yrs old.im on my 2nd divorce,I have a good job but no satisfied with current situation I have a friend 21 years younger than me but she's not seem interested...anyways great movie...

[@Gemmarose9012]

Therapy helps.

[@foxmulder4196]

@@Gemmarose9012 I think being alone is much better

[@Gemmarose9012]

@@foxmulder4196 Some aren’t meant for marriage, and divorce can be a blessing. I suggested therapy because you said you’re feeling like Lester. He wasn’t a fulfilled human.

[@foxmulder4196]

@@Gemmarose9012 I agree with divorce being a blessing I'm going thru one however the sweet misses is making it very complicated all because she wants too. Actually I take back the sweet misses her name is Ursula the sea witch from The little mermaid 🤣 Lester had everything except the respect of his wife and daughter it was like he was asleep and trapped then he awoke. That'd the reason I'm getting a divorce Ursula used to do whatever the hell she wanted and I never said anything but when she took my son without my consent to another state then the gloves came off.Ursula a horrible human being maybe I need therapy.... And as far as my young gf i ended in good terms.

[@Gemmarose9012]

@@foxmulder4196 Ursula sounds like a piece of work. I’m glad you’re getting out from under that. It’s a bitch, but there are better days ahead for you now that it’s in motion. I wish you the best of everything!

[@marijapetrovic3524]

This is amazing! Expert analysis ♥ Thank you so much

[@MauryanEON]

Best message through a movie I’ve ever seen all time #1

[@JuanIgnacioFernandez]

great content

[@danthomas6587]

Never heard of Maslow but thx for the knowledge. Subbed.

[@LaurentEN]

Thanks for your support!

[@gcxs]

It's taught in our high school economics class

[@ДмитрийБеликов-т8к]

what a great analysis! probably the best one of all on this film

[@PerpetualPerspective]

Great videp you deserve more views! But if theres one thing to criticize it's the narration - its a tad bit monotone/Robotic fix that and this video can be PERFECT

[@michaelscott4829]

yep, now he has a microphone. check out his lastest videos!

[@levismith5435]

This was a movie about a 40 year old man who woke upone day and realized he wasted his entire life doing everything everyone else wanted him to.

[@ricky9451]

Great page man. I didnt see that with Marslow. Really nice

[@1337HaxXx0r]

Good analysis. One of my favorite movies

[@bennydemario4624]

Mazlow's hierarcy of needs

[@giggymiggins2456]

I remember seeing this when I was maybe 9 or 10 and it freaked me the hell out. Don't remember why though. edit: oh yea, the colonel.

[@almadeluz501]

Well he goes for his daughters friend.. so pedophilia is pretty freaky and always was weird to me about the movie. She coulda been young without being a minor.. not the mention the main actor (Kevin spacey) was accused by multiple young men, including a minor, of sexual assault and/or molestation and crude sexual remarks…

[@VeryScaryLarry2024]

mena is hot, kevin acted very well, storyline and music score are great, no wonder i don'g get tired watching it having watched it already 20 times or so

[@HuggiMa]

I had a hard time with the casting of Ricky, as I imagine him to be a smaller, scruffy guy, easily overpowered by his dad. The current actor was considerably taller and bigger than his dad, making it seem awkward for the dad to berate him successfully.

[@axelmaldonado303]

Obviously he hold back, he's afraid of his abusive father (plus his father is an ex marine. Height doesn't mean anything when you abuse and beat the shit out of your son since he's a kid)

[@NamikazeNC]

@@axelmaldonado303 yeah exactly

[@cj3126]

Size doesn't matter. If he fought his Dad back he risks getting killed. I believes he knows.

[@drivernephi3929]

@@cj3126 honestly size does matter, it’s mostly here where even if Ricky was taller he was till a teen and had been abused since very young, he was made to think his father was this non refutable figure

[@J1283-s1k]

It's the prison of the mind mate. As well, his Dad has him on the leash if he hopes to have any kind of support (although, of course, Ricky does make his own money without his Dad's knowing).

[@J1Z06]

This movie takes Me right back to 1999.

[@watersbey25]

,,,,,@5:41 Ricky looking at Lester's dead face and appreciating it was on the sick side.sinrobe you wouldn't want to involve your daughter with

[@mobiz711]

Well done Laurent, but I don't understand why chose an automated narrator. Is it because you don't have any other options available to you? I find them really distracting. Maybe you can find voice talent at one of your local colleges, someone who is looking to build their reel. Or spend some time training yourself, I'm sure you can become adept enough to do these. Either way, nice job, I appreciate your hard work.

[@michaelscott4829]

He didn't had a microphone, now he does. Check out his lastest videos

[@SnagKing25]

Top 10 favorite movies of all time for me

[@jaicabardo4357]

hi laurent! i like your content! I think it could be improved by using a narrator. I narrate and voice act on the side; so if you ever think of using a narrator, just hit me up!

[@WilFriesen]

Thanks for the video. I still haven't seen the movie in whole... This just made me wanna see it more. If anyone knows where I can view it for free online, let me know. I'd gladly pay to see it, but nowadays, if you don't got a credit card, or digital payment, getting a movie can be difficult.

[@funch357]

Try your public library! That’s where I got hold of it to watch for free. Because the film won the Academy Award for best picture, libraries are more likely to have copies of it. Talk to the librarian if you have trouble finding it.

[@alep8357]

If you’re willing to pay you can buy it on youtube

[@WilFriesen]

@@alep8357 I don't own a credit card... But I have seen the movie now on Netflix, thanks to others that have it. Great movie. The bag video scene was my favorite.

[@alep8357]

@@WilFriesen I dont have it on my netflix sadly

[@kavk3874]

good work. great attention to detail

[@ab8jeh]

Why the AI voice?

[@nordicofficial6448]

The background music is awesome 👍🏻, what playlist is it from ?

[@jonascastejon5888]

Great vid! 👍

[@SK-hh4jr]

Great explanation fully satisfied..

[@tacey01]

Interesting! Good analysis and video. I think I saw a mis spelt word. Simbolisam should be symbolism, I think. I should have been an editor.

[@u.s.m.c.fewproudthemarines2987]

Gd movie for 99 would it be release today i don't know. But lots of homes today are like this not like 99 years it was released. It was easy back then compared to day in 2023

[@frankobrien1371]

Good analysis and commentary however Lester did not leave this world peacefully.

[@u.s.m.c.fewproudthemarines2987]

I know but he looks peaceful when he got his head blown off. 😢😢

[@frankobrien1371]

@@u.s.m.c.fewproudthemarines2987 Unfortunately a lot of fathers could identify with Lester's character. Spacey a bit of a creep in real life but fantastic actor.

[@LaurentEN]

Batman: The Dark Knight (2008) analysis and recap is now available! Check it out 🎉

[@jigodiieplinalumea4565]

I don't know if I am even at first level....

[@SK-le1gm]

Aaa! I love your video!!! You missed two things!! You read the script, you should know the first one, the big one !!!!! Here’s the smaller one. The name “American Beauty”, is an amazing album by a band named the Grateful Dead 💀 Get it? Lester is the Grateful Dead. With a smile on his face at the end.

[@LaurentEN]

Thanks for the information!

[@Nowhereoh]

So selling weed is immoral according to the reviewer. How come dad could never smell the weed or notice his son was stoned. Spacey was the creepy guy in the movie. Sacramento fly over, plastic bag music & Mena were my highlights. 6 weed stores in my little beach town.

[@leonardoferraro705]

Dad was blinded with his obsession with homosexuality, thats why

[@yazeed8741]

well said 👍

[@spidernerds]

that was beautiful

[@michaellacroix8029]

Great movie

[@BizzyIzzy87]

I definitely know now what the hell you were talking about as I get older lol.

[@1life744]

Pinnacle of the pyramid is inhabited by maybe a few dozen out of billions.

[@ladyhonor822]

AMEN PHILADELPHIA USA 🇺🇲☦️

[@AgentThursday]

Your writing is good, but the AI voice damages your production value. Develop your own voice and read your own work. I'll sub.

[@sophie-o4y5u]

jane deserved a less misoginistic dad. truly.

[@สมชายจึงสิริพิพัฒน์พร-ส6ธ]

💙ใครๆๆ พัฒนา Mindset 💔ตัวตนเองตลอดมา🔞เตลิดไปด้วยมหาสมมุติสัจจะธรรมาคิดพูดทำ everything ได้ everywhere ดีทุกระดับประทับใจ everytime. ตามนิยาม 💚คุณสุภาพบุรุษสตรีท่านผู้นำ🧡ทาส อีก นัยยะ 🤍ใครๆๆ บรรลุ อริยะมรรคผลนิพพาน something เละทะแล้วเรียบร้อยเลย ละไว้ในฐานที่ somebody เข้าใจ everybody somewhere sometime.🇹🇭ขอรับ🧭 🧿ครับพระ(พุทธ)เจ้าช่วย💛แน่นอนนั่งยืนเดินคิดพูดทำอะไรๆๆ ⚖️อีกแล้ว⚜️ อีกเลยๆๆ🕛 🌏สาธุๆๆ👀

[@rebaz7256]

Colonel Frank is the most horrible character that has sneaked into Holywood movies ever 🎬 🎞 🎥

[@billwill7383]

This movie shows the journey of a man. Hope, hopelessness. Had hope for a minute. death 💀. But it's ok cause your woman will move on. She's happy yay. Your life ment nothing. Awesome.

[@rockthepunchx9547]

The movie packaged in sentimental garbage that has made america far dumber then necessary.

[@mistero1513]

X

[@abdopain33]

Hhhhhhh his not your king ha

[@chlorophyll6154]

This movie is crap at my crap can be fertilizer

[@BLTKellys]

The most pretentious film ever made.

[@michaelscott4829]

bruh

[@mongolnaidz]

Lmao

[@cj3126]

Blt, the year it came out I don't think anybody thought it was pretentious but 20 years later some jaded people don't think it holds up as well.

[@funch357]

Really? What was it pretending at? Can you be more specific? Thanks.

[@cj3126]

@@funch357 It's worth seeing. It's a classic studied in film school. Pretentious is not pretending. I said a few Jaded people thought it may not hold up. It does. Hope you enjoy.

[@FellowHuman137]

You missed all of it

[@thehigheststateofsalad]

great content